PROPOSALS to bring popular Nerf Wars and laser tag to Maldon are set to be refused by councillors.

The Standard revealed last month plans had been submitted to Maldon District Council to place an old shipping container on land at Millennium Woods in Promenade Park.

The container would be used for customers booking in, as an office and as a storage facility.

Submitted by Ian Dobney of KI Combat, the plans reveal a project to set up the laser tag and Nerf Wars outdoor activity business on the council-owned land.

But the plans received numerous objections from residents and the council’s own countryside and environmental officers.

The Maldon Society, Maldon Town Council and Friends of Prom Park all objected.

Some claimed it was inappropriate to encourage kids to take part in a “war game scenario” in light of terrorist attacks in Europe.

Catherine Bailey, the council’s countryside and coast officer, said the Millennium Wood site could be home to nesting birds and badger setts.

Her objection comment said: “It represents one of the few areas of semi-natural habitat within the park itself, which is mainly laid to playing fields or used for other activities.

“It is not clear how many users are proposed on the site at any one time, but it is due to be used almost continuously in daylight hours in the summer months.

"It is hard to see how the ecological value of the site will not suffer as a result.”

Now officers at Maldon District Council have recommended the council’s central area committee reject the plans at a meeting on Wednesday.

Chief executive Fiona Marshall’s report said: “The proposed development and change of use for an outdoor activity area within the Millennium Wood is considered to result in significant detrimental visual impact upon this woodland area and the wider park.”

The meeting takes place at the council offices in Princes Road, Maldon, from 7.30pm on Wednesday.